The Canadian Mint has decided to stop making pennies because they cost more to make than they’re worth.

That is going to have serious repercussions in the English language. Even though everything is more expensive than it used to be, it will no longer “cost a pretty penny,” not even if a generous friend or relative (or even the government) unexpectedly gives you “pennies from heaven.”

No matter how frugal one is, we’ll no longer be able to “pinch pennies,” or claim that “a penny saved is a penny earned.”

And it makes no difference what your opinion is, you won’t be able to “give your two cents’ worth.”

I will no longer be able to offer you “a penny for your thoughts.” Nor will we be able to refuse to pay “one red cent” for anything we consider of little value.

Sadder still, what will happen when the mint inevitably chooses to bring an end to the nickel? Will we still be able to decline to pay a “plugged nickel” for worthless items?

And when the dime eventually meets its demise, will inexpensive things still be “a dime a dozen,” or won’t they even “be worth a dime”?

Will there be more traffic accidents when cars won’t be able to “stop (or turn) on a dime”?

Am I being too “cent-imental”? Or is this all “non-cents”?

One thing’s for sure, though. Even when all these coins disappear, the government will still “nickel and dime” us to death!

The plan to raise the number of female officers will be difficult, considering all the adverse publicity surrounding alleged abuse by male officers of women, both ­within and outside the RCMP.

As a retired RCMP officer, I would also add the RCMP has even more of an uphill climb to regain the trust of the general public. Almost daily now, we are reading headlines where RCMP officers are involved in serious criminal activities.

Whether it is a problem with its selection of recruits, or the lack of supervision, the RCMP must take immediate steps to correct the situation and rid the organization of those unfit to be police officers.

Women contemplating a career in the RCMP must know they will be safe. The general public needs to know RCMP officers will enforce the laws, not break them.

The events relating to Senator Pat Brazeau and the irregularities in the out-of-town housing claims by some senators have cast a shadow on this chamber of sleepy second thought.

A number of attempts to reform the Senate in the past have failed miserably. In its current form, it seems to have outlived its usefulness.

Any attempts to reform it in a satisfactory manner will require constitutional amendment. This is like opening Pandora’s Box. None of the central or Atlantic provinces may be willing to give up what they have. This is likely to create a stalemate.

To have the senators elected by the provinces and then appointed by the prime minister has some merit. Also, setting a time limit of eight or nine years for the senators makes sense. On the whole, our Senate has become a repository of old, tired and failed politicians and party loyalists. For some, it is a plum job with little to do.

Canadians deserve better than that. They need a balanced, elected, equal and effective chamber of second sober thought.

I also have the duty and right to ­present constituents’ concerns at the council table. That is why I submitted a motion about possible risks to the city’s budget of ­changes in how our community centres are operated.

Vision has denied me my rights and thwarted me in exercising my duty.

Your editorial asks why I apologized to the city manager.

For the record, I only apologized for any comment I may have made that impugns her motives in disallowing my motion and in cautioning me to “think twice” about going public about it.

I make no apology for fighting to get this issue heard by council.

What citizens should ask is, “Why is Vision so afraid of my motion that they will thwart democracy in order not to discuss it?”

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